Page 42 of The Road Home
"I promised the guys at the club we'd have a real wedding." Richard nudged Tyler gently. "You're just not happy about standing up in front of a crowd."
"You're right, but I just really want to marry you." Tyler grinned before giving Richard another kiss, then turning to Jared. "Anyway, how about dinner one night with us? I still owe you for that house call you made when I was down and out."
"That could be hard. I work evenings," Jared said.
"When's your next night off?" Richard asked.
"Tonight and tomorrow."
"Then let's do it tomorrow night." Tyler glanced at Richard, raising his brows in question. "You're free, right?"
"Yeah, I'm off at five." Richard nodded.
"How about it?" Tyler looked back to Jared.
"Sure, sounds good." Jared shrugged. "But honestly, you don't owe me anything."
"Okay, then we're just buying dinner for a friend," Tyler said.
"Actually, if you want, bring your roommate with you. It will give me a chance to get to know him, and a chance for him to get comfortable around us. He can still come in whenever to fill out paperwork, but it will be nice to get to know him away from work too."
Jared didn't like the relief that swept through him at not having to leave Orson home alone again. He was already feeling guilty about it, which was stupid since they were just roommates and wouldn't be doing everything together anyway. Still, he liked the idea of Orson going with him. He wouldn't feel like a third-wheel with Tyler and Richard. "I'll ask him. I'm sure he'll appreciate both the job and the dinner offer."
"Oh, a new roommate?" Tyler asked. "What did I miss?"
"I'll fill you in. Right now, we have an appointment across town at the new gym." Richard stood, offering his hand to Tyler.
"Already?" Tyler glanced at the clock on the wall. "I thought you were going to stop working weekends."
Richard sighed. "I will, once I'm sure the new gym is running on its own."
"You're making this up to me tonight." Tyler wrapped his arm around Richard's waist as he stood.
"Anything you want, baby." Richard waggled his eyebrows.
"And that would be my sign to head to the showers." Jared laughed. "What time tomorrow and where?"
"Let's say Trevor's at seven? I'll call and get reservations," Richard said.
"Perfect. I'll see you two tomorrow then." Jared gave a nod before heading to the showers.
As he stripped down, he thought about Richard and Tyler and how easy things seemed for them. He hadn't spent a ton of time around the two of them, but not once had he seen them uncomfortable with being a gay couple. They never seemed to face any hate or angry mobs chasing them down. Not once did they ever stop to look around before holding each other or kissing in public.
Jared wanted that, but in his mind, the second he tried to get it, he would be the one who got attacked, the one who lost his job, or the one who faced the angry mob. In his mind, the world didn't accept different, and that scared the hell out of him.
He wanted to get past his fears, but he'd held onto them for so long he wasn't sure how to let them go. He was tired of quick fucks in the back of the bars. He would love to bring someone home, share a bed, wake up with them, and even be brave enough to go out to dinner with them. He just didn't see that happening.
The hot shower helped to clear his head, and by the time he climbed out, he was ready to go home and face Orson. At least he'd be walking in with a job offer for him. That would help them avoid the nervous silence they'd shared all morning as they tried to avoid the topic of what happened in the shop.
It wasn't something he was going to forget, but if they could just get back to normal and not have the strained silence, it would be good. He was sure they could move past the kiss, but it would take them both moving on and not discussing it again. As far as things went in Jared's mind, it never happened and never would.
He rolled his eyes at himself, wishing he believed it would be that easy. It was inevitable that each time he looked at Orson he would remember that kiss and how it made him feel.
Quickly dressing and brushing his hair, he promised himself he would keep things professional. Technically, in a very unofficial way, he was Orson's doctor. That line would have to be enough to keep him from overstepping the boundaries he was putting up. It would have to be enough to deter him from sampling another taste of his mouth and maybe more.
The drive home seemed to take forever even though it was Sunday and there wasn't a ton of traffic out. As he pulled into the driveway, he smiled, seeing the lawn freshly mowed. He'd forgotten about their agreement about the yard work, but obviously, Orson hadn't.
With his gym bag in hand, he headed inside. "Thanks for doing the yard." He smiled as he found Orson in the kitchen.
